Nate. Andy remains an avid hunter and Carl’s family now extends out to wife Lynette and daughters Keely and Chloe. Juli’s family has grown to include husband Derik Kelley and their boys: Gavin, Caleb, Elijah and Dillon. Grandma and Grandpa even decided to take part. Charlotte’s parents, the late Bill and Bernadette (Curly) Bonertz, ran the Green Diamond bar/restaurant in St. James, NE and toward the end of their career they finally had time to join in on the hunting excursions. Though the exact year is uncertain, a scrapbook picture shows a proud and beaming Grandma with her first deer when she was in her 50’s or 60’s. Cheri explained that Grandpa put a fun spin on deer hunting and introduced them to “aiming oil.” When you shot your deer for the season, you could celebrate with a sip of wine which he called “aiming oil,” and a tradition soon arose. As the deer hunting tradition now extends to the fourth generation, aiming oil is one of many traditions that has held over the years. “That’s the best part of deer hunting, seeing the looks on Mom and Dad’s face, the enjoyment they got out of it. You could tell if they got a deer or not,” Charlotte recalled with a smile. She told me a story of how she heard her dad’s rifle shots one day during hunting season. She got out of her stand to check on him, a normal routine of hers. As he was walking up with his travel mug of “aiming oil,” she knew he got a deer. Beaming, he told her he didn’t shoot one, but two. “That look on his face, he was so excited. That’s a look that I’ll never forget.” The family gets together prior to deer season’s opening day to work on more than ten deer blinds and stands, varying in size and shape. Some blinds are more simple, like little dog huts with portable heaters in them for really cold days. Prior to season’s opening day, they often sit a while in the blinds to watch where the deer track. The children who are too young to hunt often come along for the preparation and observation phase. Lexi, one of the youngest hunters in the fourth generation, started coming along before she was old enough to even hunt, just to sit in the deer stand. When she became old enough to hunt, Chuck showed her how to hunt using his rifle. On opening day, they rise early and head out to their stands by 6:30 A.M., wanting to be ready by legal shooting time of a half hour before sunrise. Doubling up, they sit with whomever they feel like that day. The family will go out every day during the short deer season, whomever can make it will partake. Those who have to work during the week come out over the weekend. “Sometimes it depends on the weather,” explained Cheri. “Some of the blinds are warmer, with the little heaters in them. Some stands are up higher and more open to the weather conditions.” Cheri laughed as she explained that sometimes it’s so cold that little hand and feet warmers don’t cut it. Carl’s wife Lynette, who isn’t a native Midwestern, opts for the vHUNTING continued on page 16 Simplify Your Life by simply walking through our door Modern Woodmen Of America Insurance • • • • • Auto Insurance Farm Insurance Home Insurance Business Insurance Serving SD/NE 605-665-3572 Michele Michele Independent Agent Tammy* Financial Representative Cathy Financial Representative Experience AND Convenience Your financial and insurance needs located under one roof! Financial Security • • • • • Life/Health* Retirement* Investments* Long Term Care* Medicare Supplements* 605-665-7799 - Cathy 605-689-0406 - Tammy* 904 W. 23rd St. Yankton *A Registered Representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services, Inc; a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen Of America. Health, Long Term Care, and Medical Supplements not offered by Modern Woodmen of America. Brokered insurance products available through MWAGIA, Inc., a Modern Woodmen subsidiary. Modern Woodmen and Koch Insurance are not affiliated companies. HERVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016v15